Train line shut after truck smashes into railway bridge near Amberg

A high-sided vehicle's collision with a steel beam brought trains to a standstill. Now, engineers race to assess the damage—and commuters scramble for alternatives.

, and Administrator

2026 March 4 . 9:03 PM

1 min read

The image shows a yellow bus driving down a street next to a train on a bridge. The bridge has... — The image shows a yellow bus driving down a street next to a train on a bridge. The bridge has railings and pillars, and there are people walking on it. In the background, there are trees, buildings, and a sky with clouds.

Amberg-Schwandorf line closed due to bridge damage - Train line shut after truck smashes into railway bridge near Amberg

Train services between Amberg and Schwandorf have been suspended after a collision damaged a railway bridge. The incident occurred on 4 March 2026 when a high-sided vehicle struck the structure while passing underneath. German Rail (Deutsche Bahn) has since closed the line for safety checks.

The crash took place on the route from Amberg via Irrenlohe to Schwandorf. A truck or tall vehicle hit the bridge's steel support beam, causing significant damage. As a result, all train traffic in both directions was halted immediately.

To help stranded travellers, Deutsche Bahn arranged a replacement bus service. Passengers have been advised to use these buses until further notice. The disruptions are expected to continue into the late evening.

Engineers are assessing the bridge's condition before repairs can begin. No timeline for reopening the line has been announced yet.

The collision has forced a temporary shutdown of the Amberg–Schwandorf route. Commuters and long-distance travellers will need to rely on buses until the bridge is repaired. Deutsche Bahn will provide updates as the situation develops.